Condolences

On behalf of the Board of Directors, faculty and staff of University of California Hastings College of the Law, I express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens '89.

The Ambassador was performing the highest role that a lawyer is called upon to perform: public service. He and I communicated when he was appointed Ambassador. He had been looking forward to sharing his experiences with students when he returned. Like everyone in our nation, we were shocked to learn of recent events. This is a tragedy. We mourn this loss.

Today at UC Hastings, the school is flying its flags at half-mast to honor Ambassador Stevens, and I have personally reached out to his family. Our students are planning a candlelight vigil, to be held 6:30 pm, Monday, September 17, outside Snodgrass Hall, 198 McAllister. They will provide an opportunity for individuals to write condolence cards to the Ambassador's family. Further details will be posted on our website.

Lastly, numerous people, including classmates, friends, colleagues, and those who knew of the Ambassador's relationship to the College, have contacted us about the possibilities of a memorial service or establishing a memorial fund in his memory. We plan to remember Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and we are determining how best to do so.

The European drafting process remains far from complete, and actual adoption of the resulting proposals will surely be a gradual thing. Throughout, however, these developments will have a significant UC Hastings component, and UC Hastings students will have the benefit of information about these significant international trends.

University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco is redefining legal education through our experiential, interdisciplinary, and international approach to the law. We integrate rigorous academics with hands-on practice, preparing our graduates to tackle the legal challenges—and leverage the opportunities—of the 21st century.